1. COMMA USAGE A FEW OF THE RULES MARILYN MCCOTTRELL (CONTENT AREA LITERACY)

2. OBJECTIVES: Students will be able to ◦ Use commas to separate items in a series ◦ Use commas to set off introductory material ◦ Use commas in compound sentences ◦ Use commas to separate dependent and independent clauses (when the dependent clause comes first) ◦ Use commas to set off parenthetical/non- essential material ◦ Use commas in a direct address

3. THE RULES

4. ITEMS IN A SERIES When three or more items are listed in a series, you need commas separating each of them. That lady has a strong back, strong arms, and strong legs.

5. INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL Use commas after introductory material that comes before the independent clause. Suddenly, that ugly dog pounced on me! Screaming hysterically, I ran for my life. Damn, that’s one ugly dog!

6. Compound Sentences With two or more independent clauses, use a comma and a conjunction or a semicolon, conjunctive adverb, and a comma. Henry read the magazine, and Junior tried to read as well. Henry read the magazine; however, Junior just looked at the pictures.

7. COMPLEX SENTENCES When a dependent clause comes before an independent clause, a comma should separate the two. After the dog stole its arms, the snowman yelled.

8. PARENTHETICAL (NON- ESSENTIAL) MATERIAL Separate information that is not essential to understanding the sentence with commas. Andrea, a student in my class, really loves this dress. Her date, obviously, wants her to rethink this look.

9. DIRECT ADDRESS Use commas to separate a direct address from the rest of the sentence. Betty, can you please explain this to him? I won’t stand for this, Rufus!

10. WHEN COMMA USAGE GOES WRONG…

11. MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUND

12. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES IN MEANING? Hey, watch that comma! Hey, watch that, comma! Woman: without her, man is nothing. Woman, without her man, is nothing.